Patagonia is both the oldest independent nation and oldest native nation of South Terranova. Roman sailors first came into contact with the Tehuel aboriginals of the region in a fishing village interpreted as being called Cotray (near OTL Río Gallegos) in the early 1500's(750+). Whaling, forestry, mining, and herding brought some merchants and traders to the region by the beginning of the 17th century but settlers found little of interest in the arid land. Cotray grew modestly during the increasing presence of the Romans.